In a revitalized offseason where both agents and insiders anticipate the Red Sox will make significant financial moves, Boston is reportedly in discussions with two top free-agent pitchers.
During a segment on the Red Sox’s struggles with developing homegrown pitching, ESPN’s lead MLB insider Jeff Passan noted that Boston are in final stage discussion to sign two top pitchers both of whom are among the most sought-after arms available this offseason.
“Everything has lined up for them at this point, except for their ability to develop starting pitching at the big league level,” Passan said on the Baseball Bar-B Cast. “Brayan Bello is good. Kutter Crawford is a perfectly fine big league starter. But they don’t have a dude. And it’s why they’re talking to Blake Snell, and it’s why they’re talking to Max Fried.”
Passan’s assessment of Boston’s pitching needs is reasonable and reflects the general consensus about the Red Sox rotation. Tanner Houck and Brayan Bello are both promising and capable, while Lucas Giolito and Kutter Crawford could serve as solid options toward the back end of the rotation. However, adding a bona fide ace to the mix would be a significant step toward improving the pitching staff and helping to turn things around in Boston.
Blake Snell would bring an additional dimension to Boston’s rotation as a left-handed pitcher. After winning his second Cy Young award in 2023 with the Padres, he posted a solid 3.12 ERA in 20 starts with the Giants in 2024. Snell also achieved a career milestone, throwing his first no-hitter on August 2.
Max Fried has been linked to the Red Sox since before the start of free agency and is seen as a key target. His connection with Lucas Giolito — who has expressed a strong desire to reunite with his high school teammate — has only strengthened the potential match between Fried and Boston.
Fried is coming off an All-Star season, finishing 2024 with a 3.25 ERA. He made 29 starts and threw 174.1 innings, demonstrating that his arm can endure a full season’s workload.
Passan also mentioned that if the Red Sox decide to pursue Juan Soto instead, they could still bolster their rotation through a trade, with White Sox starter Garrett Crochet being another name linked to Boston this offseason.
Regardless of the direction Boston chooses to take in reshaping its roster, Passan concluded with a crucial piece of advice for the Red Sox front office:
“They have to be intelligent about how they do things, because getting stars isn’t easy,” Passan noted.
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